Manual gangway for a boat

ABSTRACT

A manual gangway ( 1 ) for a boat (S) comprises a proximal gangway element ( 2 ) and a distal gangway element ( 3 ) which define a passage surface (P) for the transit of persons. The proximal gangway element ( 2 ) is provided at a proximal end ( 4   b ) with a connection device ( 22, 24 ) which allows the gangway to be removably assembled to the boat. The gangway elements each comprise a support element ( 4, 5 ), consisting of a profile of box-like section, and a respective panel ( 6, 7 ) above it forming said passage surface. Each support element and respective panel are assembled in such a way that the support element is located along the centre line of the respective panel, when seen in plan view. The support element ( 7 ) of the distal gangway element ( 3 ) can slide inside the support element ( 6 ) of the proximal gangway element ( 4 ) in such a way as to give rise to a telescopic-extension configuration.

The present invention relates to a manual gangway for a boat, comprising a proximal gangway element and a distal gangway element which define a passage surface for the transit of persons, wherein said proximal gangway element is provided at a proximal end with connection means which allow the gangway to be removably assembled to the boat, and wherein said gangway elements each comprise a support element, consisting of a profile of box-like section, and a respective panel above it forming said passage surface, said support element and respective panel being assembled in such a way that the support element is located along the centre line of the respective panel, when seen in plan view.

So-called manual gangways are known which are generally used on small boats or for occasional use. So that they can be handled and transported manually, such gangways are generally lightweight and easy to use. Conventional manual gangways generally consist of a single gangway element or a pair of elements mounted so as to form a folding structure. Each element is generally formed of a pair of lateral profiles, connected by an intermediate panel which provides a passage surface for the transit of persons. A manual gangway of the type defined at the beginning is instead described in SU 366 117 A.

The manual gangway according to the invention is characterized in that the support element of the distal gangway element can slide inside the support element of the proximal gangway element in such a way as to give rise to a telescopic-extension configuration.

Particular embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

A preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view from below of a manual gangway for a boat according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the gangway of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view in section of the gangway of FIG. 1, taken along the line III-III of said figure.

With reference to the figures, these show a gangway 1 according to the invention which can be assembled to a boat S, comprising a pair of proximal and distal elongate gangway elements 2, 3 which define a surface P for the passage of persons between a boat S (part of which is shown in FIG. 2) and a mooring structure, for example a jetty (not shown). In the present description, the terms proximal and distal are used with reference to the point of assembly of the gangway 1 to the boat S.

Each gangway element 2, 3 comprises a support element 4, 5, respectively, on which is mounted a panel 6, 7 which forms the passage surface P. Seen in a plan view, the support elements 4 and 5 are located along the centre line of the respective panels 6 and 7. The support elements 4, 5 consist of profiles made of lightweight material, for example aluminium, having a box-like section, for example square. The support elements 4, 5 are arranged so as to form a telescopic structure, which can extend in a known manner to reach a predefined maximum length of extension.

In particular, the distal support element 5 can slide inside the proximal support element 4. To this end, the distal support element 5 has a smaller section than the section of the opening defined by the profile of the proximal support element 4. To keep the two box-like elements 4 and 5 aligned, sliding blocks 9, made of a material which is resistant to wear from sliding, are mounted on the outside of the walls of the distal element 5 and/or on the inside of the walls of the proximal element 4. To prevent the distal element 5 from sliding out all the way, a stop member 11 is provided on at least one of the walls of the profile of the proximal element, near the distal end 4 a of the proximal element 4. At least one of the sliding blocks 9 comes up against this stop member 11 at the point of maximum emergence of the distal element 5.

The panels 6, 7 are also made of a lightweight material, for example a composite material, wood, aluminium, etc. and may have a frame (not shown). Head elements 12 and 13, which rigidly connect the respective support element 4 and 5 to the panel 6 and 7 above, are mounted at the distal end 4 a and 5 a of the support elements 4 and 5. A transverse element 14, consisting of a profile having a U-section, for example made of aluminium, is mounted at the proximal end 4 b of the proximal support element 4, and this transverse element rigidly connects the support element 4 to the panel 6 located above. A sliding sheet 15, mounted on the distal element 5, is placed between the distal support element 5 and the panel 7 above. The U-section 14 and the proximal head element 12 act as a spacer between the proximal support element 4 and the panel 6 above. At the same time, the distal head element 13 acts as a spacer between the distal support element 5 and the panel 7 above, while the sliding sheet 15 provides a surface for bearing against the proximal support element 4. In this way, as the distal element 5 emerges from the proximal element 4, the panel 7 can slide between the upper wall of the profile of the proximal support element 4 and the panel 6, sliding via the sliding sheet 15 in contact with this wall.

A roller 17, which can rotate about a pin 18 mounted in such a way as to connect the side walls of the profile of the distal support element 5, is also mounted at the distal end 5 a of the distal support element 5. This roller 17 allows the gangway 1 to rest on a mooring structure of the boat S without rubbing.

A fork element 22, on whose arms is mounted a pin 23, is mounted at the proximal end 4 b of the proximal support element 4. The proximal support element 4 is mounted rotatably on the pin 23. The fork element 22 has a shaft portion 24 which can be inserted removably in a corresponding seat 25 provided on the boat S, for example by means of a bayonet coupling device 26.

Preferably, a releasable stop device 31, for example a ratchet, which can immobilize the distal support element 5 in a certain position of emergence, is also mounted on the proximal support element 4.

Preferably, fastening devices 32, for example eye bolts, for fastening the gangway 1 with a traction cable (not shown), are also provided on the head element 12 of the proximal gangway element 2.

As can be seen, the manual gangway according to the invention can have a very limited weight, in particular when the materials and the thickness of the walls of the profiles of box-like section are judiciously selected. It may therefore be easily removed manually from its seat after use and stored even in small spaces.

It is understood that the embodiment described herein is to be interpreted as an exemplary embodiment of the invention; the invention can however be modified in terms of the form and arrangement of parts, and constructional and operational details, in accordance with the many possible variants deemed appropriate by those skilled in the art. 

1. Manual gangway for a boat, comprising a proximal gangway element and a distal gangway element which define a passage surface for the transit of persons, wherein said proximal gangway element is provided at a proximal end with connection means which allow the gangway to be removably assembled to the boat, and wherein said gangway elements each comprise a support element, consisting of a profile of box-like section, and a respective panel above it forming said passage surface, said support element and respective panel being assembled in such a way that the support element is located along the centre line of the respective panel, when seen in plan view, wherein the support element of the distal gangway element can slide inside the support element of the proximal gangway element in such a way as to give rise to a telescopic-extension configuration.
 2. Gangway according to claim 1 in which the support element and the panel of the proximal gangway element are assembled in a spaced relationship, and the support element and the panel of the distal gangway element are also assembled in a spaced relationship, in such a way that the distal panel can slide between the proximal support element and the proximal panel.
 3. Gangway according to claim 1 in which a roller, which can rotate about a pin mounted in such a way as to connect side walls of the distal support element, is mounted at the distal end of the distal support elements.
 4. Gangway according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprise a fork element, to which said proximal support element is pivoted, said fork element having a shaft portion which can be inserted removably in a corresponding seat provided on the boat.
 5. Gangway according to claim 1, in which a releasable stop device, which can selectively immobilize the distal support element in a certain position of emergence, is also mounted on the proximal support element.
 6. Gangway according to claim 1, in which fastening means for fastening the gangway with a traction cable are provided on said at least one gangway element.
 7. Gangway according to claim 2 in which a roller, which can rotate about a pin mounted in such a way as to connect side walls of the distal support element, is mounted at the distal end of the distal support element.
 8. Gangway according to claim 2, wherein said connecting means comprise a fork element, to which said proximal support element is pivoted, said fork element having a shaft portion which can be inserted removably in a corresponding seat provided on the boat.
 9. Gangway according to claim 2, in which a releasable stop device, which can selectively immobilize the distal support element in a certain position of emergence, is also mounted on the proximal support element.
 10. Gangway according to claim 2, in which fastening means for fastening the gangway with a traction cable are provided on said at least one gangway element.
 11. Gangway according to claim 3, wherein said connecting means comprise a fork element, to which said proximal support element is pivoted, said fork element having a shaft portion which can be inserted removably in a corresponding seat provided on the boat.
 12. Gangway according to claim 3, in which a releasable stop device, which can selectively immobilize the distal support element in a certain position of emergence, is also mounted on the proximal support element.
 13. Gangway according to claim 3, in which fastening means for fastening the gangway with a traction cable are provided on said at least one gangway element.
 14. Gangway according to claim 4, in which a releasable stop device, which can selectively immobilize the distal support element in a certain position of emergence, is also mounted on the proximal support element.
 15. Gangway according to claim 4, in which fastening means for fastening the gangway with a traction cable are provided on said at least one gangway element.
 16. Gangway according to claim 5, in which fastening means for fastening the gangway with a traction cable are provided on said at least one gangway element. 